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8/29.03
Teal and most other ducks surge back
Reports of waterfowl numbers and nesting conditions show that most species have rallied significantly since last year.
JEFFERSON CITY-Teal hunters are rejoicing at news of a dramatic turn-around in their favorite ducks' fortunes. Other duck hunters will find ample cause for joy in this year's waterfowl status reports, too.
Poor nesting conditions during the 2002 breeding season prompted wildlife officials to shorten last year's early teal season by a week compared to 2001. Early indicators this year left biologists and hunters alike wondering whether teal numbers would justify any early teal hunting at all. But unusually wet weather saved the day.
"The prairie pothole region of south-central Canada was dry as a bone this time last year," said Resource Scientist Dave Graber, with the Missouri Department of Conservation. "But starting in the late summer and especially during the past April, the region got an extraordinary amount of rain and snow. That moisture, combined with habitat put in place by Ducks Unlimited and other conservation groups, enabled waterfowl to stage a remarkable comeback."
The recovery in blue-winged teal was dramatic--a 31 percent increase from last year's population of 4.2 million breeding birds to 5.5 million. The green-winged teal estimate of 2.7 million was the second-highest on record.
Other species increased even more dramatically. Breeding numbers of Northern shovelers jumped 56 percent to 3.6 million. The Northern pintail, a species of special concern for several years, posted an encouraging 43 percent increase.
Numbers of mallards, the most numerous waterfowl species pursued by hunters, were similar to last year, at 7.9 million (7.1 million in 2002). Numbers of other common duck species also were similar to last year.
The increase in teal numbers is welcome news to hunters who plan to pursue the fast-flying little ducks during the early teal season Sept. 6-21. However, their ultimate success will depend, as always, on weather conditions between now and late September.
"It has been extremely dry in most parts of Missouri this year and teal hunters should take that into consideration when hunting," said Graber. "Unless conditions change dramatically, there will not be much habitat out there to hold teal in Missouri for any length of time. The obvious exception is managed wetlands, with water control capability."
Graber said hunters should focus on public wetland areas where water levels are maintained artificially or try to hunt on migration days.
"It doesn't take much of a cool front to move teal, so hunters should be flexible and plan to be out the day of, or the day after a front moves through. Large reservoirs, farm ponds, and rivers provide hunters an opportunity to catch birds that are looking for a place to set down. Waiting for that northwest wind might be the key this year.
The good news for hunters is that teal are likely to congregate around available water, making them easier to find. Public wetland areas, lakes and rivers will be good spots to hunt when teal are moving through Missouri.
The increase in breeding numbers of pintails, scaup, canvasbacks and redhead ducks is particularly encouraging to waterfowl managers and hunters. These species have experienced long-term declines and didn't share equally in the overall waterfowl recovery that took place in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This year, seven of the 10 most common ducks are at or above population goals set under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
Teal aren't the only ducks in Missouri in September. Significant numbers of shovelers, wood ducks, pintails and wigeons also arrive ahead of the main duck migration, and these species are not legal game during teal season.
"The ability to identify ducks is particularly important during teal season," said Graber. "If you aren't 100 percent sure that a duck is a teal, you would be wise not to pull the trigger."
For information about teal hunting on state wetland areas, visit http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/ and click on key words "hunting" and "waterfowl hunting."
- Jim Low -
8/29.03
Teal and most other ducks surge back
Reports of waterfowl numbers and nesting conditions show that most species have rallied significantly since last year.
JEFFERSON CITY-Teal hunters are rejoicing at news of a dramatic turn-around in their favorite ducks' fortunes. Other duck hunters will find ample cause for joy in this year's waterfowl status reports, too.
Poor nesting conditions during the 2002 breeding season prompted wildlife officials to shorten last year's early teal season by a week compared to 2001. Early indicators this year left biologists and hunters alike wondering whether teal numbers would justify any early teal hunting at all. But unusually wet weather saved the day.
"The prairie pothole region of south-central Canada was dry as a bone this time last year," said Resource Scientist Dave Graber, with the Missouri Department of Conservation. "But starting in the late summer and especially during the past April, the region got an extraordinary amount of rain and snow. That moisture, combined with habitat put in place by Ducks Unlimited and other conservation groups, enabled waterfowl to stage a remarkable comeback."
The recovery in blue-winged teal was dramatic--a 31 percent increase from last year's population of 4.2 million breeding birds to 5.5 million. The green-winged teal estimate of 2.7 million was the second-highest on record.
Other species increased even more dramatically. Breeding numbers of Northern shovelers jumped 56 percent to 3.6 million. The Northern pintail, a species of special concern for several years, posted an encouraging 43 percent increase.
Numbers of mallards, the most numerous waterfowl species pursued by hunters, were similar to last year, at 7.9 million (7.1 million in 2002). Numbers of other common duck species also were similar to last year.
The increase in teal numbers is welcome news to hunters who plan to pursue the fast-flying little ducks during the early teal season Sept. 6-21. However, their ultimate success will depend, as always, on weather conditions between now and late September.
"It has been extremely dry in most parts of Missouri this year and teal hunters should take that into consideration when hunting," said Graber. "Unless conditions change dramatically, there will not be much habitat out there to hold teal in Missouri for any length of time. The obvious exception is managed wetlands, with water control capability."
Graber said hunters should focus on public wetland areas where water levels are maintained artificially or try to hunt on migration days.
"It doesn't take much of a cool front to move teal, so hunters should be flexible and plan to be out the day of, or the day after a front moves through. Large reservoirs, farm ponds, and rivers provide hunters an opportunity to catch birds that are looking for a place to set down. Waiting for that northwest wind might be the key this year.
The good news for hunters is that teal are likely to congregate around available water, making them easier to find. Public wetland areas, lakes and rivers will be good spots to hunt when teal are moving through Missouri.
The increase in breeding numbers of pintails, scaup, canvasbacks and redhead ducks is particularly encouraging to waterfowl managers and hunters. These species have experienced long-term declines and didn't share equally in the overall waterfowl recovery that took place in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This year, seven of the 10 most common ducks are at or above population goals set under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
Teal aren't the only ducks in Missouri in September. Significant numbers of shovelers, wood ducks, pintails and wigeons also arrive ahead of the main duck migration, and these species are not legal game during teal season.
"The ability to identify ducks is particularly important during teal season," said Graber. "If you aren't 100 percent sure that a duck is a teal, you would be wise not to pull the trigger."
For information about teal hunting on state wetland areas, visit http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/ and click on key words "hunting" and "waterfowl hunting."
- Jim Low -
